The Philadelphia Eagles are navigating through a virtual 2020 NFL offseason that’s been filled with political strife, a pandemic, and the emergence of Jalen Hurts as a second-round draft pick.
Fortunately for the Eagles, they have one of the best head coaches in the league and a guy whose humble beginnings should allow him to lead this team back to the playoffs.
With the 2020 Philadelphia Eagles training camp over a month away, here are Pederson’s 3 biggest challenges as camp approaches.
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1. Societal issues outside of football
Life as we knew it changed the minute the world and America was forced to address the coronavirus pandemic. After finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel with the pandemic, the nation has once again been forced to deal with racial and social injustice after the country watched another police officer kill an American citizen.
Pederson will have to figure out how to keep his team focused, while sensitive to issues that society is currently presenting. He was previously able to leave the team building to Malcolm Jenkins, but now the Eagles head coach will need to be the ever-present leader more now than ever.
2. Establishing Eagles offensive identity
The Eagles pass to set up the run and with a new influx of speed and youth, Pederson will have to figure out a way to stay true to the running game. Miles Sanders is set to take the next step as a running back and Pederson, along with Press Taylor, Rich Scangarello, and Marty Mornhinweg will have to spend the next month taking steps to ensure that the Eagles offense doesn’t get off to its normal slow start during ball games.
Pederson will have to manage his craving for a pass-heavy offense, allowing Miles Sanders to take the pressure off Carson Wentz while allowing Andre Dillard the ability to get comfortable as a run blocker first.
3. Taking the focus off the backup QB Position
Pederson didn’t draft Jalen Hurts but he was definitely consulted on the move and it will again put the focus of controversy on the quarterback position. Pederson has done a solid job thus far, making it clear Hurts isn’t prepared to be Wentz’s backup while suggesting that he’ll have to learn the NFL game first.
This isn’t Wentz/Foles part two, but Pederson will have to do a good job of putting out potential fires when Hurts makes a good play while making the quarterback room as comfortable as he can for the franchise quarterback.
